# Is Windex Bad For Automotive Paint? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 10, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windex-bad-for-automotive-paint/595856 "2011-09-10T21:43:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windex-bad-for-automotive-paint/595856/21 "2011-09-14T01:37:33Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > And windshield washer fluid, which has got to be similar to Windex-type cleaners. Or are they different in a significant way? washer solvent is methanol. diluted somewhat. ---
**Author:** ![FoundWaldo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@FoundWaldo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoundWaldo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windex-bad-for-automotive-paint/595856/22 "2011-09-14T02:18:52Z")
Given that quick detailer and other appropriate cleaning supplies are not dramatically more expensive than Windex, I have to ask why are we even having this discussion? Even if Windex doesn’t damage the finish, why would you want to use it when you can get purpose-made products that you KNOW won’t damage the finish, and will probably do a better job of cleaning too? FWIW, I don’t even use Windex on the glass on my cars. I use Stoner’s Invisible Glass, which is less harsh and does a better job to my eyes. But my cars are high end, and I like them to look perfect. I don’t mind spending 10 bucks to get a product I know I can trust. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2011, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windex-bad-for-automotive-paint/595856/23 "2011-09-14T22:14:48Z")
> [@FoundWaldo](#): > > Given that quick detailer and other appropriate cleaning supplies are not dramatically more expensive than Windex, I have to ask why are we even having this discussion? Even if Windex doesn’t damage the finish, why would you want to use it when you can get purpose-made products that you KNOW won’t damage the finish, and will probably do a better job of cleaning too? > > FWIW, I don’t even use Windex on the glass on my cars. I use Stoner’s Invisible Glass, which is less harsh and does a better job to my eyes. But my cars are high end, and I like them to look perfect. I don’t mind spending 10 bucks to get a product I know I can trust. Meguiar’s Quik Detailer is between 8 and 9 dollars a bottle. A generic glass cleaner is like a dollar fifty. So while less than 10 bucks isn’t all that expensive, its quite a bit more expensive than glass cleaner. And I had the Windex handy, I’d have to make a special trip to Autozone or something to get the detailing spray, so there’s the gas expense too. Which I will at some point (get the detailing spray) but I still want to see if it can be demonstrated that what I am doing in the short term is somehow harmful to my car’s finish. ---
**Author:** ![nitroman88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@nitroman88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroman88)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windex-bad-for-automotive-paint/595856/24 "2011-10-13T07:18:44Z")
ammonia evaporates into the air very quickly that is why it is used in glass cleaners too provide zero streak…glass cleaners that dont use ammonia have other substances in them that behave in the same manner… Just about any serious cleaner you use will take wax off.Any high quality clear coat is going to be able to withstand far more hazerdous chemicles then just windex… My rule of thumb is if you can use it on your hands without it burning the living crap out of you there is no way its going to get even close to going through your clear coat. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-windex-bad-for-automotive-paint/595856.md?page=1)